Legionella found in multiple locations at Wayne State

Three campus cooling towers and three bathrooms have tested positive for Legionella bacteria on the Wayne State University campus in Detroit, according to a university communique released this week. Legionella is the bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease.

The university began conducting tests after an employee who works in the Faculty Administration Building was diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease on May 29. The employee, whose age and gender have not been disclosed, has been under the care of a physician since becoming ill. Their current condition is not known.

Preliminary results identified Legionella in cooling towers of the Towers Residential Suites, Purdy/Kresge Library and the College of Education Building. Remediation in the three towers has begun using the “prescribed disinfection process,” according to the university’s statement.

A private bathroom in the Faculty Administration Building, a first-floor men’s bathroom in Scott Hall, and a men’s bathroom in the Cohn Building also tested positive for Legionella. The bathrooms will be closed until they can be further assessed.

“As a result of these findings, the university will continue comprehensive testing of the campus, including potable water, to ensure all water sources are safe,” the university’s release stated. “The expert consultants will return to campus this weekend to continue sampling.

“Moving forward, we will work with the experts to re-evaluate our water treatment and monitoring protocols and make any necessary adjustments to ensure that this problem does not occur in the future.”

The university has notified the Detroit Health Department about the findings, and health department officials said they will assist WSU closely with the investigation moving forward.

Officials are unaware of any additional Legionnaires’ cases connected to the campus.

Students, employees or visitors to any of the buildings or bathrooms where Legionella was found and who have recently suffered from or are currently suffering from pneumonia- or flu-like symptoms (see below) should seek immediate medical attention from their health-care provider.